B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 21

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R3+2 (check)

   1. Black K6+1

2. 2. Red R3+1 (captures the Elephant)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black H3+4

3. 3. Red H7+6 (sacrifices the Horse)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black A5-4 (captures the Horse)

4. 4. Red R3=4 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black H4-6

5. 5. Red R4=5 (threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black A4+5

6. 6. Red R5-1 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black H6-8

7. 7. Red R5-1 (check, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   7. Black K6-1

8. 8. Red R5=2 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   8. Black K6-1

9. 9. Red R2-1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black H8+7

10. 10. Red R2=4 (checkmate)

    Why it works

    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

• 1. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black H3+4
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black A5-4
  • If Black plays H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-2. Try it on the board
• 6. Black H6-8
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5-1. Try it on the board
• 8. Black K6-1
  • If Black plays H8+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H8+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black H8+7
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H8+6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H8+9 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 24
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 23
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 22
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 20
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 19
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• B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 16
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